I don’t think that I can truly convey how moved I was when I heard Dr. Dienstag relay his experiences leading a creative writing course for people who had been diagnosed with early stages of Alzheimer’s. What gripped my heart was the importance of the patients physically writing down memories and as they left the class, gifting the physical memories to the teacher, as the majority of those folks would forget those memories the next time that they came to class.
That absolutely hit me.
They entrusted their memories. They gave them away, never to have them back.
Remember and Celebrate
I had never viewed memory as something alive and tangible. In fact, I don’t believe I’ve ever thought about memories as ‘gifts.’ As I thought about this concept I realized that when I remember something from my childhood or come across a scent I hadn’t smelled in a long time, or find an article of clothing I haven’t worn in a long time, it is like receiving a gift. Those memories are gifts I get to open every time I encounter them. They always serve to remind me of what I give value to in my life.
Something affected me about this sentence. Yes, it is about folks that have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, but did you catch the last little bit of that quote:
as are those of us that work with people with Alzheimer’s.
To me that means everyone.
Then it becomes about something completely different.
How about you? Are you in danger of forgetting that you can still remember? Are you surrounding yourself with acts of remembering?
This episode’s online yoga class is a Level 2-3 class.
The yoga class is a journey of imprinting your mat with those memories. Writing your desires, your deepest wishes, your meaningful longings with your body, NOW. May we acknowledge and gift them NOW, as the blessing of memory is just that, a blessing.
The class itself is more energetically paced than usual. The first half of the class involves lots of standing poses and vinyasas. It is also accompanied by yours truly chatting up a storm (imagine that!) 😉 I was deeply inspired by the subject matter. My energy grounds as the class goes on, as the quiet grows.
Something else to note about the class: I ran out of batteries for my H2 Zoom recorder during savasana, so you will have to bring yourself out of the pose on your own! 😀
Dr. Dienstag’s article is a fantastic read . If you are interested in listening to the entire interview with Dr Dienstag you may check it out here.
This class was recorded at BYS Yoga Studio in Pittsburgh on May 13, 2010
Remember to listen to the podcast to get the 15% off coupon code for Prancing Leopard Organics my magical sponsors 😉 and go shopping!
Download MP3 of Yoga Class
The Sequence of Yoga Poses for this online yoga class:
Downward Facing Dog/Eka Pada Downward Facing Dog/ Spiderman Lunge
Adho Mukha Svanasana
Uttanasana/Ardha Uttanasana
Surya Namaskar C Variation (without vinyasa)
Adho Mukha Svanasana
Vinyasa
Parsvakonasana/Virabhidrasana II
AMS
Plank
Chattarunga (hold)
Bhujangasana
Side Angle Pose/Warrior II
Vinyasa
Trikonasana/Triangle with side angle arm
Uttanasana
Utkatasana
Uttanasana
Vinyasana
Virabhidrasana I (with arms interlaced behind the head)
AMS
Warrior I (with arms interlaced behind the head)
Vkrsasana
Garundasana
Eagle arms in Tadasana/Uttanasana with Garundasana arms
Baby Dancer
Uttanasana
Pigeon
Ekapadarajakapotasana prep with thigh stretch
Downward Facing Dog on tip toes/Plank on tip toes/Upward Facing Dog/Downward Facing Dog
Uttanasana vinyasa to Tadasana
Urdhva Dhanurasana with or without blocks at the wall x 3
Knees to Chest
Supine Twist
Balasana
Downward Facing Dog
Uttanasana
Tadasana
Savasana
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Elsie, you may not remember me but just wanted to say hello !!!! – so much LIFE has happened since I last saw you in L.A. – your baby is beautiful and your website is so INSPIRED! Absolutely great….I am living in Munich, Germany at the moment and am so excited John F. is on his way here for a workshop next week, plus am doing a TT with him in Paris, where Marc Holzman has moved to, for the moment….seems like L.A. has been on the move….
Take care and keep doing what you’re doing, it’s bee–ooooo—tiful!
xx
barbara kuhl
I’ve been looking for good yoga that I can do at home. I’ve found that much of it is so basic that I get bored with it after 20 minutes. My search has ended! Your classes are wonderful, and I love the beautiful writing that accompanies each one. Your website has provided me a wonderful outlet to practice yoga at home. Thank you!!